11 research outputs found
Reflection confocal nanoscopy using a super-oscillatory lens
A Superoscillatory lens (SOL) is known to produce a sub-diffraction hotspot
which is useful for high-resolution imaging. However, high-energy rings called
sidelobes coexist with the central hotspot. Additionally, SOLs have not yet
been directly used to image reflective objects due to low efficiency and poor
imaging properties. We propose a novel reflection confocal nanoscope which
mitigates these issues by relaying the SOL intensity pattern onto the object
and use conventional optics for detection. We experimentally demonstrate
super-resolution by imaging double bars with 330 nm separation using a 632.8 nm
excitation and a 0.95 NA objective. We also discuss the enhanced contrast
properties of the SOL nanoscope against a laser confocal microscope, and the
degradation of performance while imaging large objects.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, supplementary include